2 Koigu wool scarves

The first two Koigu hand painted merino wool scarves have been completed using the same wool for both warp and weft. One measures 1500mm x 140mm and weighs 86g, whilst the second is 1350mm x 140mm and weighs 84g.

2 orange cashmere scarves

Have just completed two similar hand-dyed orange cashmere scarves, 1730mm x 155mm 50g and 1930mm x 155mm 55g. The dye is not constant so there is a colour striation besides the woven pattern. As you would expect, both scarves are very soft.

Hand painted merino yarn

I have been asked by Debbie at Calico and Ivy to weave her some scarves using some hand painted merino yarn from Canada that she stocks. I have sufficient yarn to weave 12 scarves similar to the previous two. Each bundle will be used for each scarf. The bundles of 4 skeins will produce two scarves.

Black, black/ivory cashmere

My latest scarves are two cashmere ones, one black, 1780mm x 160mm, 60g, and one black and ivory, 1830mm x 150mm, 62g. As you would expect, both are very soft items.

Dyed cashmere

You can imagine my surprise when returning home from my recent Japanese holiday to find the following rack of dyed cashmere awaiting me. Each skein of yarn is sufficient for 2 x 1800mm x 150mm scarves so I will be busy for a few weeks.

In the meantime I have to finish weaving this black cashmere warp. I have completed a solid black cashmere scarf on the first section of the warp and just started the second section using a white cashmere weft which emphasises the pattern.

Japanese holiday

I have just returned from a 2 week holiday in Japan. The first week I stayed with my friend Sugiyami san and we visited the sumo in Tokyo and played four rounds of golf at Izu Yugashima, Sagami and Yokohama golf courses. The second week I used a 7 day Japan Rail Pass to visit Fukuyama, Nagasaki, Beppu, Kochi and Kyoto.

Sumo in Tokyo, Kotooshu preparing for his bout

Golf resort at Izu Yugashima

Golf course at Sagami

Challenging par 3 hole at Yokohama golf course

Fukuyama castle
Peace park at Nagasaki

Entrance to Nishi-Honganji Temple in Kyoto Japanese garden in Nijo Castle, Kyoto

2 Japanese girls wearing kimono and visiting Kyoto for the day
2 Geisha girls in Kyoto

Grey cashmere scarf

This is a lovely soft lightweight charcoal grey cashmere scarf woven in a 1-ply yarn using an eight shaft pattern. However, after washing the pattern is not too clear. It is 1750mm x 160mm and weighs only 46g.

2 hand painted merino scarfs

Two interesting wool yarns have been provided by Calico and Ivy in Mosman Park. They were hand painted merino wools from Canada, called Koigu Wool.

I wound the warp with one of the samples, then used the same wool as the weft of the first scarf, and then the second wool for the second weft. Restricting my weaving to 150g of one sample and 50g of the second sample, I finished up with one scarf 1380mm x 140mm weighing 90g, and a second scarf 1440mm x 140mm weighing 94g. The results are shown below.

Pink cashmere scarf

Have just completed a lightweight salmon pink cashmere scarf in a small diamond eight shaft pattern. It is 1550mm x 150mm and only weighs 46g.

Two silk scarfs

Have just completed two scarfs using a light brown silk as the warp, and then a black silk weft for the first scarf and a red wool weft for the second scarf. The same eight shaft pattern has been used for both scarfs resulting in a different front and back appearance.

Light brown coloured silk scarf

This latest scarf is in a light brown coloured silk woven on an eight shaft floor loom and has a very subtle pattern. It is a long scarf measuring 1880mm x 200mm and weighs 126g.

Purple silk scarf

Have just finished a short purple silk scarf, 1450mm x 170mm, which only weighs 52g. I have used an eight shaft pattern and used seven repeat patterns across the warp. The resultant pattern is different on each side.

Green silk scarf

I have just completed a long silk scarf 2100mm x 220mm in a green crinkly yarn and it weighs 92g. I used a plain (tabby) weave so the texture is caused by the crinkling in the yarn.

I have since wound the warp for a purple coloured silk scarf which will nominally be 1500mm x 200mm. The following photos show the yarn on the warping frame.

Sixth alpaca scarf completed

I have now completed six alpaca scarfs and taken them to Alpaca Plus in Middle Swan. The last two scarfs are 1990 mm long and and 200 mm wide so are long flowing scarfs. These latest two scarfs have a smaller pattern than the previous two and this can be seen in the close up photos.

It is likely that the lady at Alpaca Plus will take my six scarfs to the Royal Show at the end of September if she has not sold them before.

Four more items

Have been busy the last ten days. My latest woven item is a shawl using possum/merino woool made at the request of my daughter in law. It has finished as 122 cm x 56 cm so maybe I have made it too short but will have to wait to have her reaction to the item.

Previously I had made two more mufflers using alpaca yarn. They are both 20 cm wide with one 180 cm and the second 190 cm long. These will be on sale eventually at Alpaca Plus in middle Swan.

Whilst I was waiting for further supplies of alpaca yarn I wove a short scarf (128 cm x 17 cm) in a hand spun and hand dyed cotton yarn.

Am now busy weaving two further alpaca mufflers for Alpaca Plus which I am to take to them next week.